PHOTOS: ‘A Tale of Two Towers’ at Sylvester Road Bridge Construction

In spite of several mornings enduring freezing temperatures, measurable snow and flakes the size of silver dollars, absolutely drenching rain and wind gusts of 35-45 mph, the bridge team moves ahead removing the “false Work” towers from under the bridge. The bridge is totally self-supported. These guys are incredible!

Click images to see larger versions:

Upper left: Another of several snowy days at the bridge.

Upper right: The towers are slowly moved out from under the bridge spans using “come-along” like winches so the crane cables can be attached.

The towers are huge and heavy but no match for the crane and crew taking them apart for shipping on giant flatbed trucks lined up 4 deep along Sylvester Road.

Lower Left: Perspective shows the re-bar has been installed for the sidewalk pour if the rain ever lets up and the size of the crane and a partial section of one tower.

Upper left: Giant support framework 24″ I-beams present a momentary challenge carefully rotating the structure so it can be “flown out” without damaging the bridge.

Lower right: The foreground towers (10th Ave.side) are completely removed. The background towers are next. They have been pre-positioned so the crane can reach them. Then, the clean up under the bridge loading “Eco-pans” with the construction debris.

Hi Brett, thanks again for the great updates. It’s a beautiful bridge! Are we realistically looking at an April date to be open to traffic? This has been pushed back so often it’s tough to tell, just looking for some realistic guidance. What’s your take?

Stew, Thank you. Weather is the controlling factor. Concrete needs a predictable dry day so all the troops can be called in. Word has it that they are going to try to pour the sidewalk Tuesday but everyone’s fingers are crossed. Asphalt also needs a dry gravel bed for quality.

My take is 10-14 days, most likely April 1st. Anything sooner is a bonus at this point. They are finishing everything else in the mean time, hauling out the towers, finishing storm drains, fiber optics & communications, rockery and general cleanup.

SCUBA lessons and dry diving suits might be in order. It’s worth mentioning that in spite of snowy, icy, slippery, cold and drenching rain that there have been NO accidents or injuries beyond the usual knuckle busters which as one worker said, “goes with the job”.

Sylvester Bridge: Asphalt leading up to the approach slabs of the bridge is scheduled for Friday 7:00 am. Tons more construction supplies and equipment has been removed. The count down is T-minus….5-7 days?

Hey, one bicyclist illegally entered the construction area and crossed the bridge Friday ****THIS IS A SERIOUS NO-NO!****